"We will see how he operates"- Axar Patel's not-so-friendly welcome for Gautam Gambhir

India allrounder Axar Patel has said he is excited to work under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. The former India opener was unveiled as the new head coach by the BCCI earlier this week.

Gambhir has replaced Rahul Dravid as the India head coach. Dravid was the head coach of the team from 2021 till the T20 World Cup last month. Under Dravid, India enjoyed success across formats, and his tenure ended with the monumental victory in the T20 World Cup that ended the team's 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.

Under Dravid, India qualified for the semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2022. Last year, India reached the final of the World Test Championship as well as the ODI World Cup in addition to winning the Asia Cup. India also defeated Australia and England in Tests at home.

I'm looking forward to it: Axar Patel

After Dravid's successful tenure, Gautam Gambhir has his task cut out. And while only time will tell how things unfold in the coming days, Axar Patel has said he said he is very excited about the new start. The star allrounder said that he has played against Gambhir in the IPL and is now looking forward to working with him.

"I have played against him in the IPL and now he's coming in as coach so obviously excitement is there. His journey hasn't started but I'm looking forward to it. There are going to be a lot of changes in the set-up, his mindset will be different so excited to see our new goals, the change in atmosphere," Axar Patel told Times Now.

Speaking further, the T20 World Cup winner said that the players' role could change in T20Is after the retirement of stalwarts such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. Axar Patel said that India will have a younger team in T20s and stated that he cannot wait to see the changes in the team.

"Player roles could also be changed, especially in T20, with the retirement of Virat, Jadeja, and Rohit. A younger team will be put in place and we will see how he operates. New coach, new staff - very excited to see the changes and looking forward to the first meeting with him where there will be a lot of clarity," Axar Patel said.

The India job is Gambhir's first as a head coach. In the past, he has only served as a mentor in the IPL and did an impressive job. In 2022 and 2023, he helped the Lucknow Super Giants qualify for the playoffs before leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to victory this year. Gambhir's first assignment as the India head coach will be the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, scheduled to get underway later this month.